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sc st atrocities act

The SC And ST (Prevention Of Atrocities) Act, 1989 was formed to prevent offences against the members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes group. It further aims to provide for Special Courts to try people caught in such offences and also to provide relief to the victims of such offences and for matters related to it.

The Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the Scheduled Tribes (STs) Prevention of Atrocities (PoA) Act, 1989 was amended to ensure speedy justice to victims. This Act seeks to stop people from committing such oppression and providing victims with special rights and privileges. A fast-track court for complaints made by anyone from the SC and ST community is also established with respect to this. Not only does the Act increase punishment in some instances for crimes under Indian Penal Code (IPC) but also targets specific crimes - generally humiliating in nature - against SC and ST communities.

This gave rise to a controversy on March 20, 2018 three issues came in front of Supreme Court where there were instances of exploiting of the SC/ST Act against government servants. It held that a public servant can only be arrested after approval of the appointing authority. Whereas a non-public servant can be arrested after approval by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) which may be granted in appropriate cases if considered important for the noted reasons. A brief inquiry will also have to be conducted before an FIR is filed and it is to be made sure that the charges fall under the Act or is a result of political and/or personal reasons.

The amendments under the Act were initially issued as an ordinance by the UPA government in March 2014. As of 2018, the NDA government has got the amendments passed in both the houses of Parliament.